Fungicide for Sclerotinia Control in Canola

Sclerotinia Stem Rot is a fungal disease which affects canola, peas, lupins, legume pastures and other broadleaves.

The disease develops in the stem of canola plants, when infected petals lodge in the branching sites. Whilst yield loss of 20% or more has been recorded from Sclerotinia in high yielding areas, it’s occurrence is very difficult to predict. Sclerotinia is sporadic in occurrence and is most common: - In high rainfall areas where there is intensive canola production - Where canola is grown following an alternate legume host such as lupins, faba beans or clover pasture - Following continual wet or humid conditions during flowering

Recently Bayer Crop Science have registered Prosaro for the control of Sclerotinia Stem Rot in canola. Details of this registration are:

• Application rate range of 375 – 450 ml/ha

• Cost $26 – $32/ha plus application

• Application timing is critical to adequately control Sclerotinia

• Prosaro must be applied when the crop is 20% flower, well before any disease has appeared.

• Spray volumes of 100 L/ha should be used to adequately cover the lower canopy

• Promotional material claims significant yield benefits over untreated crops in high disease situations

Use of Prosaro should only be considered in high rainfall areas where Sclerotinia is present in canola crops most years. Where yield loss from Sclerotinia occurs in less than 30% of years, the increased cost of production in low disease years, could easily be greater than the yield benefits achieved in high disease years.